Review on 🪑 Airhead Sun Comfort Saddle, Sapphire Blue, 32x16x1.25 Inches (AHSC-036) by Mark Bearden

Update: After writing my previous review I had the opportunity to use this saddle float and "other floats". in the sea and in the pool. I found the airhead saddle float to bounce back a little more often than its competitor; i.e. this one seems to have slightly less lift at the rear, so it folds back more easily. I suspect it partly depends on the shape (or more specifically the distribution of buoyancy) of the person sitting in the float. But for me, Airhead doesn't work that well in that regard. First review: I have purchased an Air Head Sun Comfort pool saddle (this product) and a closed cell saddle float from another major brand. They are different, but to me one is generally no better than the other. The biggest difference between the Airhead and the "other float" (to avoid mentioning another product in the review) is that the surface of the Airhead is textured with tiny grooves (maybe around 2 grooves per millimeter?). I can see how the airhead can rub on bare feet where it walks between them and at least one reviewer said so. I think this might be more of an issue for women or men in Speedo swimwear as my swimwear (shorts) protects my bare skin from contact with swimmers. The surface of the "other float" is smooth and slightly rubbery, but not slippery. Some may find the smooth surface of the "other swimmer” more comfortable. The airhead appears to be made of a stiffer material than the "other floats" and there are large grooves in the narrow part of the airhead where the saddle folds. between the legs, presumably to overcome stiffness and facilitate flexing. The airhead has three of these grooves, each about ½" wide and ¼" deep. The grooves are aligned so that the deepest part of each groove on one side faces the deepest part of the groove on the other side. Thus, the thickness of the float between the bottoms of the grooves is about half that at other locations. There is a concern that the airhead will tear at those thin and narrow spots, but I can't recall a single review mentioning this issue. The "Other Float" seems to be more squishy than the Airhead, but when I squeezed each one with my index finger, I found that they were equally compressible. The "Other Float" is noticeably more flexible than the Airhead, but not what I would call flexible. Although the airhead is slightly smaller than the "other float" in both length and width, both offer the same buoyancy; Maybe the airhead is a little less tight than the other. I'm 5'11" and 185 pounds; both swimmers held me up so my shoulders were above the water but my armpits were submerged. As someone who has transported several of these things on a boat, I can Telling them less is more Both the airhead and the "other float" are made of closed cell foam and I find this to be a much better design than other types of floats.It is a vinyl coated open cell saddle float Foam available. I've had a few of these vinyl coated saddle floats and have found that the surfaces tend to stick together when the floats are stacked on top of each other. Reportedly, although I haven't experienced it myself, the coating sometimes peels off or cut, water seeps into the foam which I think is a major flaw of the product.I be haven't had the airhead on long enough to be aware of its durability. I have had several smooth skin floats and they have lasted for many years. In most cases they were lost (sailed ashore) before they broke. Fracture seems to be the only mode of failure. Two of the ones I've had the longest still work, although superficially torn around the buttons, which are just oval holes at each end. Overall I prefer the smooth ones but the airheads seem like a good product. I can get more of each.